Thomas Joseph-Watkin
Encyclopedia
Thomas Morgan Joseph-Watkin (1856 – 1915) was a barrister
and long-serving officer of arms
at the College of Arms
in London
. Having spent much of his early life as a cowboy
in Texas
, Joseph-Watkin began his career at the College of Arms as Portcullis Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary
in 1894. On 20 June 1913, Joseph-Watkin was appointed Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary
to replace Henry Murray Lane
. This appointment lasted until Joseph-Watkin's death on 31 July 1915.
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
and long-serving officer of arms
Officer of arms
An officer of arms is a person appointed by a sovereign or state with authority to perform one or more of the following functions:*to control and initiate armorial matters*to arrange and participate in ceremonies of state...
at the College of Arms
College of Arms
The College of Arms, or Heralds’ College, is an office regulating heraldry and granting new armorial bearings for England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Having spent much of his early life as a cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Joseph-Watkin began his career at the College of Arms as Portcullis Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary
Portcullis Pursuivant
Portcullis Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary is a junior officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. The office is named after the Portcullis chained Or badge of the Beauforts, which was a favourite device of King Henry VII. King Henry's mother was Lady Margaret Beaufort. The office was...
in 1894. On 20 June 1913, Joseph-Watkin was appointed Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary
Chester Herald
Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. The office of Chester Herald dates from the 14th century, and it is reputed that the holder was herald to Edward, Prince of Wales, the Black Prince. In the reign of King Richard II the officer was attached...
to replace Henry Murray Lane
Henry Lane (officer of arms)
Henry Murray Lane was an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London.-Personal life:He was born in Leamington, Warwickshire, the sixth son of Rev. Charles Lane and Frances Catherine Sandford Lane...
. This appointment lasted until Joseph-Watkin's death on 31 July 1915.